Chapter 87 — You Haven't Paid Yet (Please Vote)
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
The peddlers around Mother Tang's stall all stared at Wei Zhao in astonishment, not knowing who he was. But they did know Zou Ruoming, and when they saw Wei Zhao strike him and Zou Ruoming not dare let out so much as a peep, slinking off instead, they all looked at Wei Zhao with awe — this was someone even more formidable than Zou Ruoming.
"Tang— Tang Zhi, are— are you all right?" It was Kang Xiaofeng's first close encounter with the goddess of his heart. He knew perfectly well that he and Tang Zhi were utterly impossible, but even exchanging a couple of words with her would be something. Now that the chance had come, he naturally wasn't about to let it slip. Nervousness, though, made him stammer.
Tang Zhi frowned slightly. She had heard talk these past two days at school about Wei Zhao, the new third of the four campus bullies, and seeing that the boy from before was Wei Zhao, and that this Kang Xiaofeng was his underling, she grew wary as a matter of course.
Wei Zhao's deeds had already spread: he had dealt with Zhong Yongliang right after transferring in, and now he had slapped Zou Ruoming. Tang Zhi felt all the more afraid of him, and thought he might not have any good intentions either — that striking Zou Ruoming was likewise meant to curry favor with her.
As for Kang Xiaofeng, Tang Zhi had already written him off as Wei Zhao's pawn and had no good impression of him. Hearing him ask after her, she said only mildly, "I'm fine."
Then she ran quickly to Mother Tang's side: "Mom."
"Ai..." Mother Tang understood now — it was that Zou Ruoming pestering her daughter. Relief welled up in her, and with it a certain fear of Zou Ruoming's revenge. But seeing that Wei Zhao could actually make Zou Ruoming so docile, her heart began to stir again. In looks and bearing alike, Wei Zhao was far superior to that Zou Ruoming; if he were to become her daughter's boyfriend, that would not be bad at all — at least then she would not have to worry about trouble from Zou Ruoming. Still, Mother Tang was only idly turning it over; she did not want her daughter to suffer any grievance.
Kang Xiaofeng could tell too that Tang Zhi was not much inclined to bother with him, and felt somewhat deflated. But he understood as well that the gap between him and Tang Zhi meant there was basically no chance at all, so he stopped fretting over it.
"Auntie, twenty lamb skewers, two lamb chops, two chicken necks, two tofu rolls, two bottles of beer!" Kang Xiaofeng quickly put himself back in his proper place and cheered up again.
He had not won Tang Zhi's favor, but at least he had held his head high in front of Zou Ruoming for once. What are you all so cocky about? In front of my boss, aren't you just trash waiting to get your faces slapped?
"Right away!" Mother Tang hurried to answer. These two were even more formidable than Zou Ruoming, so naturally she had to wait on them with care.
"Zou Ruoming, wait a moment!" Wei Zhao suddenly called out to Zou Ruoming, who had not gone far.
Zou Ruoming jumped at the sound of Wei Zhao's voice. He had no idea what Wei Zhao meant to do now. Hadn't he already been told to leave? Why was he being called back?
He did not want to go back, yet go back he must. He could have run, of course, but the monk may flee while the temple stays put — if Wei Zhao came looking for trouble later on, he would not be able to bear it.
"Lin... Wei Zhao, is there something else?" Zou Ruoming turned around with a bitter look on his face and asked.
"You haven't paid yet," Wei Zhao said mildly. In truth, Wei Zhao simply felt sorry for Mother Tang, who had to keep the barbecue stall going all by herself — no easy thing — so if he could help her out, he would. It was no more than a lift of the hand.